University mission trip to Philippines benefits all involved

Four Lewis University students and one faculty member participated in a Joliet Diocesan university mission trip Jan. 1-13 to the Philippines.

Students Joseph Preston, Ronald Pollak, Amanda Stogsdill and Ariel Zarate were accompanied by Brother Thomas Dupre, FSC, associate professor of mathematics and computer science. The fifth Lewis student mission trip to Bacolod City in the Philippines included light construction work, health education and a culture exchange.

Lewis students worked on various projects during their trip. They worked on the construction of a duplex and were able to complete 75 percent of it. Students also worked on the expansion of a local pre-school and kindergarten in the village.

Lewis students helped run a mini-clinic for children on how to brush their teeth and provided each child with a toothbrush and toothpaste. They purchased flip-flops for every member of the village along with toys and 12-kilos of rice for each of the 69 households.

“What I found most rewarding on our mission trip was being able to make a change and see the results of our efforts. I came to make a difference and be the light in their world,” commented Joseph Preston, who also participated in the 2011 Philippines mission trip.

The Filipino community inspired the students as well.. Preston noted their willingness to give as much of themselves as they can despite the difficulties they face daily. “The bonds we made with the village was something worth more than any physical object I could ever buy, ” Preston commented.

Lewis University is a Catholic university offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 6,500 traditional and adult students. Lewis offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis prepares intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected, and socially responsible graduates. The seventh largest private not-for-profit university in Illinois, Lewis has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. Visit www.lewisu.edu for further information.

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